By Ollus Ndomu
In a bustling bus station in Zambia, Sabertha Zulu’s encounter with a young girl ignited a spark that would lead to the birth of the Donate A Pad Campaign. Moved by the girl’s plight of resorting to tissue paper during her menstrual cycle, Ms. Zulu embarked on a mission to address the challenges faced by women and girls regarding menstrual hygiene.
“The establishment of Donate A Pad Campaign began when I was approached by a young girl at the bus station as I was heading to work,” recalls Ms. Zulu. “Knowing the effects that tissue paper can have on a girl’s genitals, I was touched and decided to help the girl with sanitary towels.”
Driven by compassion and a desire for change, this young changemaker leveraged social media to garner support for her initiative. The positive response was overwhelming, marking the genesis of the organization dedicated to providing menstrual hygiene education and access to sanitary products.
The Donate A Pad Campaign aims to tackle multifaceted challenges faced by women and girls in Zambia. From lack of access to sanitary products and clean water to stigma and lack of education, the campaign endeavors to empower women and girls with knowledge and resources to manage their menstrual hygiene safely and hygienically.
“One of the key aspects of our campaign is providing free sanitary pads and teaching women and girls how to craft reusable pads,” explains Ms. Zulu. “This not only addresses the challenge of access but also fosters sustainability and self-reliance.”
Recognizing the importance of menstrual hygiene education, the campaign seeks to break down stigma and raise awareness about the significance of clean water and sanitation facilities. Through workshops and outreach programs, women and girls are equipped with essential knowledge to navigate menstruation with confidence and dignity.
The impact of the Donate A Pad Campaign reverberates across communities, with over 5000 sanitary pads donated and instruction provided to over 100 girls on crafting reusable pads. The campaign’s expansion to three additional provinces underscores its success and effectiveness in reaching marginalized populations.
Looking ahead, Ms. Zulu envisions further expansion and empowerment, with plans to incorporate menstrual health as a core component of the campaign’s programming. By empowering women and girls to define their own purpose and access menstrual health resources, the campaign strives to create a Zambia where every girl can thrive.
As the Donate A Pad Campaign continues to make strides in menstrual hygiene advocacy, its achievements serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for women and girls across Zambia and beyond. In recognition of its impactful work, the campaign has been honored with the Best Social Media Campaign award in 2021 and 2022, cementing its legacy as a catalyst for change in menstrual health empowerment.
